Low Seroprevalence of Measles-Specific IgG in Children of Three Ethnic Groups from Mexico: Influence of Age, Sex, Malnutrition and Family Size.

Miguel A Sánchez-Alemán,Nayeli Díaz-Salgado,Oscar Zaragoza-García,María Olamendi-Portugal,Natividad Castro-Alarcón,Ilse A Gutiérrez-Pérez,Iris P Guzmán-Guzmán,Isela Parra-Rojas

doi:10.3390/vaccines9030295

Miguel A Sánchez-Alemán, Nayeli Díaz-Salgado + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030295

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Abstract

Background: The reemergence of measles represents a public health problem. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles in children of three ethnic groups in southern Mexico and the nutritional status and demographic risk factors associated. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 416 school-age children, 207 belonging to the Tlapaneco ethnic group, 101 to the Mixteco group and 108 were considered Mestizo. Sociodemographic data were collected, an anthropometric evaluation of the children was performed and a fasting blood sample was obtained from each child for the measurement of measles IgG antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: From the total sample, 59% of the children were seropositive for IgG antibodies against measles; in contrast, 41% lacked IgG antibodies. Measles antibody seropositivity was higher in girls (64%). 90.5% of 6-year-old children had higher antibodies seroprevalence, compared to the children between 10 and 13 years old (45.5%). In the three ethnic groups, age was negatively correlated with the index standard ratio (ISR) of measles antibody levels and the families with ≥8 members showed less seropositivity. According to the antibodies levels, most of the positive cases remained around 1 Standard Deviation (SD) of the ISR values and no underweight children had antibody levels above 2 SD. Conclusions: The Anti-Measles serological coverage is low in children of three ethnic groups from Southern Mexico and the age, sex, malnutrition and family size are associated factors. Therefore, it is important to strengthen immunization campaigns, principally in vulnerable groups.

Highlights

Mexico, selected by disposition for the participation in this study. 207 children belonged to the Tlapaneco ethnic group, 101 to the Mixteco group and 108 were considered Mestizos
The ethnic groups were defined by the indigenous language spoken by their parents and grandparents, as well as belonging to a community and sharing sociocultural customs
The height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and arm circumference were significantly larger in the Mestizo group (Table 1); among children belonging to ethnic groups the malnutrition by deficit or underweight was more frequent in the Mixteco group

Summary

Introduction

The measles virus belongs to the Paramixoviridae family. It is the causal agent of an acute infectious disease, frequently in infancy, characterized by fever, rash, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, immune suppression and in some cases, central nervous system complications [1]. Measles infections lack specific treatments; the prophylactic vaccine is considered the best strategy to prevent this viral infection [2]. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, in 2018 more than 140,000 people died from measles around the world, mostly children under the age of 5. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles in children of three ethnic groups in southern Mexico and the nutritional status and demographic risk factors associated

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